The Kokhe Danda Trek via Poon Hill & Mohare Danda is a 3-day short trek from Pokhara, built for travelers who want a high-reward Himalayan journey without a long time commitment.
Destination
Nepal
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge and Tea house
Walking Distance
26 km
Duration
2 Nights 3 Days
Max. Elevation
3,313 m (10,869 ft)
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinne
Best Season
Spring (Mar–May)
Grade
Easy
The Kokhe Danda Trek via Poon Hill & Mohare Danda is a premier 3-day short trekking route designed for travelers seeking a high-reward Himalayan journey within a compact timeframe. Departing from the vibrant lakeside city of Pokhara, this trail navigates the ridge networks of the lower Annapurna and Dhaulagiri regions, seamlessly bridging world-famous vantage points with serene, off-the-beaten-path destinations.
The journey weaves through ancient rhododendron and oak forests, terraced hillside farming communities, and open alpine ridges. Throughout the trek, travelers are treated to views of towering giants, including two 8,000-meter massifs Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 m) alongside prominent 7,000-meter peaks such as Annapurna South (7,219 m), Machhapuchhre / Fishtail (6,993 m), and Nilgiri (7,061 m). By combining the iconic sunrise at Poon Hill with the community-managed heights of Mohare Danda and the peaceful panorama at Kokhe Danda, this itinerary offers an ideal balance of classic highlights and tranquil mountain wilderness.
· Autumn (September – November): Offers crystal-clear atmosphere, stable weather, and sharp, unobstructed views of the mountain ranges following the monsoon season. Daytime temperatures are mild and comfortable for trekking.
· Spring (March – May): Celebrated for vibrant forest landscapes as rhododendron and wildflower blooms cover the hillsides. The weather is warm, and daytime visibility remains reliable.
· Winter (December – February): Features crisp, clear skies with stunning mountain views, though nighttime temperatures dip significantly. Occasional snowfall at higher altitudes like Mohare Danda adds a striking winter landscape.
· Monsoon (June – August): Characterized by frequent rain, lush vegetation, and mist-filled valleys. While clouds often obscure mountain views, the trails are extraordinarily quiet and green.
Pokhara → Banthanti → Ghorepani
We set off early from Pokhara, trading lakeside streets for a winding mountain road that climbs steadily into the hills. The drive to Banthanti cuts through terraced river valleys and small roadside settlements, with the peaks ahead only occasionally breaking through the morning haze.
From Banthanti, we shoulder our packs and begin walking — a gradual, steady climb through oak and rhododendron forest that sets the tone for the trek. Stone steps, worn smooth by generations of local traffic, guide us upward through the trees.
The forest opens in patches to reveal our first real mountain views, a preview of what tomorrow's sunrise will bring. By the time we reach Ghorepani, a well-known lodge settlement tucked beneath the Poon Hill ridge, the afternoon light is settling over the surrounding hills.
We spend the rest of the day settling into our teahouse, resting up before the early start ahead — Ghorepani's lodges have a lived-in, welcoming warmth that comes from decades of hosting trekkers on this same route.
Ghorepani → Poon Hill → Mohare Danda → Kokhe Danda
Well before sunrise, headlamps lead the way up the final push to Poon Hill, one of the Annapurna region's most celebrated viewpoints. Arriving in the cold pre-dawn air, we wait as the sky over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range shifts from grey to gold.
From Poon Hill, the trail turns quieter, following ridge paths toward Mohare Danda. Since teahouse options thin out along this stretch, we carry a packed breakfast from Ghorepani — a small planning detail that keeps the day's momentum going through the forested, undulating terrain.
A scenic lunch stop at Mohare Danda gives us a longer look at the panorama — Annapurna South, Nilgiri, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) all visible from this ridge, without the crowds that gather at Poon Hill.
From here, quieter ridgeline trails lead on to Kokhe Danda, a peaceful, lesser-known viewpoint. We arrive with enough daylight to settle in before the mountains and valley below turn gold and pink at sunset — a fitting reward for the day's longest walking stretch.
Kokhe Danda → Taprang → Banthanti → Pokhara
Morning at Kokhe Danda is unhurried — one last look at the surrounding peaks before we start our descent. The trail drops through forest, the elevation falling away gradually as the terrain softens beneath our boots.
Roughly two hours of downhill walking brings us to Taprang (~2,717 m / 8,914 ft), a small hill village where the trail character shifts again, opening into farmland and terraced slopes.
From Taprang, another hour and a half of walking gets us to Banthanti, closing the loop on the trekking portion of the trip. The forest and ridge trails of the past two days give way to the familiar road we started on.
A waiting jeep takes over from here, carrying us back down the mountain road to Pokhara, where the trek comes to an end — three days, two viewpoints beyond Poon Hill, and a route most visitors to the region never see.
|
Days |
Route |
Distance |
Walking Time |
Altitude |
|
Day 1 |
Pokhara to Banthanti (Drive) ➔ Ghorepani (Trek) |
~7 km |
3–4 hrs |
2,850 m |
|
Day 2 |
Ghorepani ➔ Poon Hill ➔ Mohare Danda ➔ Kokhe Danda |
~13 km |
6–8 hrs |
3,313 m |
|
Day 3 |
Kokhe Danda ➔ Taprang ➔ Banthanti ➔ Pokhara (Drive) |
~8 km |
3.5 hrs |
3,303 m ➔ 820 m |
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Let's Plan TogetherTransportation
Accommodation
Food & Meals
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Other Included Services
International Flights
Nepal Visa
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Personal Expenses
Beverages
Hot Showers & Charging
Wi-Fi / Internet
Tips & Gratitude
Additional Expenses
| Group Size | Price / Person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | USD 350 |
| 2 – 3 persons | USD 320 |
| 4 – 8 persons | USD 300 |
| 9 – 15 persons | USD 280 |
Trip Info & FAQs for Kokhe Danda Trek via Poon Hill & Mohare Danda – 3 Days from Pokhara
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USD 350 per person
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